APPARATUS FOR MOVING SILAGE

Abstract: Apparatus for moving silage (1) comprises an inverted "V"-shaped frame including a stabilising limb (2) and a pushing limb (3) which are pinjoined together about a pivot (10), a silage block engaging portion (5), castors (6), a hydraulic ram (12) operated by electric motor and associated fluid-carrying piping for the hydraulic system. The apparatus (1) also includes structs (50) which are pivotally attached to the frame of the apparatus (1). The apparatus (1) includes anchoring members (4) which abut against wall in order to stabilise stabilising limb (2) when in use in a single slatted house. The apparatus (1) also include hooks (52) which can engage and disengage a tube (51), as required. To use the apparatus (1) in a double slatted house, the heavy duty tube (51) is affixed to the floor using rawl-bolts for instance, along the length and in the centre of the slatted house feeding passage. The hooks (52) engage around the tube (51) thereby holding the stabilising limb (2) in position whilst the pushing limb (3) engages and pushes the silage towards the cattle when the ram (12) is activated.

Description: APPARATUS FOR MOVING SILAGE The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving silage and in particular for pushing silage blocks. During the winter months, some farmers house and feed their cattle in slatted houses. The farmer usually places approximately one week's supply of silage in a feeding passage. The cattle are prevented from entering the feeding passage by means of a barrier but they can feed on the silage by placing their heads through the barrier. As the silage near to the barrier is consumed, the farmer pushes more silage forward towards the barrier using a pitchfork or pike. This is a labour-intensive and time- consuming task. The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with the above. The present invention accordingly provides an apparatus for pushing silage blocks comprising a silage block engaging portion, a pushing limb and a stabilising limb pivotally attached to said pushing limb and means for moving the pushing limb relative to the stabilising limb. Ideally, the means for moving the pushing limb relative to the stabilising limb comprises only one hydraulic ram. The apparatus may conveniently include an anchoring member. Conveniently, the apparatus may include two castors mounted on the pushing limb and two castors mounted on the stabilising limb. (1) The apparatus will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, two embodiments of an apparatus according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view in partial section of the apparatus in a first embodiment; Figure 2 is an isomeric view of the apparatus in a second embodiment; Figure 2a is a front view of the apparatus in the second embodiment; Figure 2b is a side elevation of the apparatus in the second embodiment; Figure 2c is a rear view of the apparatus in the second embodiment; and Figure 2d is a plan view from above of the apparatus in the second embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. This apparatus 1 is suitable for use in single slatted houses, for example. The apparatus 1 includes a stabilising limb 2 and a pushing limb 3 attached to the stabilising limb 2 about pivot 10, an anchoring member A, a silage block engagingportion 5, castors 6, a hydraulic ram 12 located between pivot points 13 and IA. The apparatus also includes an electric motor 20, an oil pump 21, oil tank 22 and control valve 23. (2) SUBSTITUTE SHEET When the apparatus 1 is not in use, the anchoring member A rests against a wall and the pushing limb 3 is located close to the stabilising limb 2. When it is desired to push a silage block 100 towards the feeding barrier, the control valve 23 is activated. This activates both the electric motor 20 and the oil pump 21 which in turn activate the hydraulic ram 12. As the hydraulic ram 12 extends, the pushing limb 3 is forced to move away from the stabilising limb 2. The pushing limb 3 moves easily by virtue of castors 6. The pushing limb 3 continues to move outwardly from the stabilising limb 2 until the silage block engaging portion 5 makes contact with a silage block 100 requiring to be pushed forward towards the feeding barrier. At this point, the stabilising limb may experience a resultant backward force, in which case, the anchoring member A will be forced backwardly against the wall of the single slatted house. As long as the hydraulic ram 12 continues to extend, the silage block will be pushed towards the feeding barrier. When a particular silage block has been pushed to a desired position, the hydraulic ram 12 may be activated so as to withdraw the pushing limb 3 from its extended position. The apparatus 1 may be wheeled into position behind the next silage block in the feeding passage and the above sequence may be repeated. Referring now to Figures 2, 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, the apparatus in a second embodiment will now be described. This apparatus is indicated generall by the reference numeral l 1 and operates in a similar manner to the apparatus 1 already described above except that apparatus 1' is also suitable for use in a double slatted house. (3) SUBSTITUTE SHEET Apparatus 1' comprises an inverted "V" -shaped frame including a stabilising limb 2' and pushing limb 3' which are pinpointed together about pivot 10', a silage block engaging portion 5', castors 6', a hydraulic ram 12 f operated by electric motor and associated fluid-carrying piping for the hydraulic system. The apparatus 1' also includes struts 50 which are pivotally attached to the frame of the apparatus 1' . The apparatus 1' also includes a hook 52 which can engage and disengage a tube 51, as required. To use the apparatus 1' in a double slatted house, the heavy duty tube 51 is affixed to the floor using ram-bolts for instance, along the length of the slatted house centre passage In order to operate the apparatus 1', the hook 52 is engaged around the tube 51 thereby holding the stabilising limb 2 1 in position when the control switch (hand control valve) 23' is activated and the pushing limb 3' begins to move outwardly from the stabilising limb 2' under action of the hydraulic ram 12'. As the pushing limb 3' moves outwardly, the silage block engaging portion 5' thereof contacts the silage block and pushes it forwardly where it can be easily reached by cattle. In order to maintain the castor wheels 6 1 in the vertical position as the stabilising limb 2' and the pushing limb 3' move apart, the castor wheels 6 1 are fixedly attached to a rotatable rectangular tube 57 arranged around a shaft (not shown). The shaft is fixedly attached to the struts 50 which are parallel to the pushing limb 3' and stabilising limb 2', respectivel. This mechanism has the effect that the rectangular tube 57 is maintained in the (A) SUBSTITUTE SHEET horizontal position and the castor wheels 6' are maintained in the vertical position and the castor wheels 6' can move in one direction only. Without such an arrangement, the castor wheels 6 1 would collapse under strain as the pushing limb 3' moves outwardly. A similar arrangement is provided at pivot point 05 in order to maintain the oil tank 58 (which supplies oil to the electric motor 20') arranged horizontally as the stabilising limb 2' and pushing limb 3' move apart. This prevents spillage of oil which would otherwise occur. The pivot arm 56 can be moved between an operational position (as shown in Figure 2b) and an inoperational position (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2b). When in the operational position, the pivot arm 56 may be brought into abutment with a wall. This would ensure less angular movement between limbs 2' and 3' thereby speeding up the feeding process. This process will only occur when the silage is half consumed i.e. when there is sufficient width for the apparatus l 1 to operate. When the apparatus 1, 1' is not in use, the hydraulic ram 12' is totally withdrawn and the inverted "V" members would then be parellel i.e. the members would be in the upright position, in the vertical. This would ensure that its dimensions allow it to be wheeled between the silage blocks in a double slatted house or up between the end wall and the blocks in a single slatted house. (5) SUBSTITUTE SHEET It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details herein described which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention. (6) SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1. The apparatus for moving silage (1) comprising a stabilising limb (2) and a pushing limb (3) attached to the stabilising limb (2) about pivot (10), an anchoring member A, a silage block engaging portion 5 and swivel castors (6). A hydraulic ram (12) located between pivot points 13 and IA, said ram (12) operated by electric motor, hydraulic pump (power pack) (21) via control valve (23) to force limbs (2) and (3) apart. 2. The apparatus for moving silage as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that stabilising limb (2) and pushing limb (3) assembly, comprises castor wheels (6), fixedly attached to rotatable rectangular tubes (57) arranged around a shaft (not shown). The rectantular tubes are pivotelly attached to the struts (50) which are parallel to the pushing limbs (3) and the stabilising limb (2) respectively. The mechanism has the effect that the rectangular tubes (57) onto which is attached the swivel castors (6) and the silage block engaging portion (5) will always remain in the horizontal irrespective of what angle the stabilising limb (3) and the pushing limb (2) move through. The castors (6) and the silage block engaging portion (5) will, therefore always remain in the vertical. 3. The apparatus for moving silage (1) as claimed in 1 and 2 characterised in that when said hydraulic ram (12) is totally withdrawn the inverted "V" members i.e. (2) and (3) would then be parallel and upright (in the vertical) thus ensuring that the overall width of the apparatus (1) would allow it to be wheeled manually between opposing silage blocks in a double slatted house or between the wall and the blocks in a single slatted house. (7) SUBSTITUTE SHEET The apparatus for moving silage (1) as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3 characterised in that arm (56) when rotated into the horizontal will come into abutment with the wall thus adding width to the apparatus (1). This would ensure less angular movement between limbs (2) and (3) thereby speeding up the feeding process. (8) SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: MCAREE JOHN A, MCMAHON MICHAEL, MCAREE, JOHN, A., MCMAHON, MICHAEL
Applicants: M & A ENG LTD, MCAREE JOHN A, MCMAHON MICHAEL, M & A ENGINEERING LTD., MCAREE, JOHN, A., MCMAHON, MICHAEL
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A01K1
IPC codes: A01K1